Rapids Finish Season Undefeated vs. Galaxy Earn Important Road Point in 0-0 Tie in LA

CARSON Calif. (Saturday September 16 2006)- The Colorado Rapids played the home-standing Los Angeles Galaxy to a 0-0 tie to earn a point and stay in playoff position heading into the season’s final four games.

With the result Colorado finished the season undefeated against Los Angeles for first time in team history as they went 3-0-1 and shut out the Galaxy for the fourth straight time in 2006.

Joe Cannon alertly came off his line in the 17th minute to end a Galaxy attack that had five yellow shirts attacking the Rapids' back four.

Dan Gargan took the first shot on goal of the match in the 32nd minute but Galaxy goalie Kevin Hartman was in position to grab the shot.

In the 34th minute a Thiago Martins shot deflected to Kyle Beckerman’s feet and when he turned to shoot Hartman was right there and trapped the ball under his body before it could squirt by.

In first half stoppage time the Galaxy played a dangerous ball into the Rapids’ penalty area where it was flicked on by Alan Gordon but Mike Petke calmly cleared the ball.

Cannon came up big to keep the game level in the 55th minute. A Landon Donovan corner kick found its way to the back post to Gordon who tapped the ball to Tyrone Marshall. The ball was then crossed but Cannon dove to his left and punched the ball to Clint Mathis who cleared the ball out of the penalty area.

The Rapids survived a scare in the 62nd minute when Chris Albright played a through ball to Cobi Jones and the former US international cut the ball back to a wide open Gordon. Gordon then tripped over the ball allowing the Colorado defense to recover and clear the ball.

Jacob Peterson nearly had his second goal of the season at the Home Depot Center against the Galaxy in the 66th minute. His header off a Mathis cross went just wide of the Galaxy goal.

Beckerman had another shot on goal in the 73rd minute that Hartman dove on to make his third save of the match.

The Rapids will now have a week to prepare for another battle in Southern California when they return to the Home Depot Center on Saturday September 23 to take on Chivas USA. The match will help clear the muddled Western Conference playoff picture as both teams are fighting for position.